The instant its fingertips touched the Bouncing Ball.
Time seemed to freeze.
The cheap Bouncing Ball's surface suddenly lit up with countless golden runes finer than strands of hair, forming a three-dimensional magic circle so intricate it was dizzying.
"Humm-"
A deep hum, seemingly from the depths of the universe, drowned out every sound in the valley.
The monster's hand holding the ball abruptly stiffened.
Its body of light began to twist and stretch uncontrollably, like a wad of cotton candy caught in a vacuum cleaner, surging wildly toward the tiny Bouncing Ball.
Before everyone's horrified eyes, that enormous, majestic creation of light was forcibly crammed into a palm-sized sphere amid a soundless shriek.
Douglas snapped his fingers.
The Bouncing Ball traced an elegant arc through the air and flew back into his hand.
Now, the ball had changed completely.
That arrogant creation of light was perfectly imprisoned in the center of the sphere, frozen in its startled pose from just before it was sucked inside, lifelike in every detail.
The light from its body no longer spilled out. Instead, it was compressed into pure gold, flowing slowly inside the sphere and making the entire ball gleam like an exquisitely crafted work of art.
Lupin's wand hand trembled slightly. He lowered his wand, not because the threat had passed, but because his brain could no longer process the scene before him.
He opened his mouth, a dry mumble escaping his throat. "What... what is that? Like... like the one you used on Peeves... the Peeves Cage Ball?"
Douglas carefully examined the work of art in his hand and said casually:
"Similar principle, but more advanced than that one. Looks like it works pretty well. Just the thing to take back for Wangcai to play with. I think it'll like it."